Pochettino threatens to axe Chelsea duo

manager Mauricio Pochettino has issued a stern warning to Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, threatening to cut them from the team after their attempt to overstep four-goal hero Cole Palmer during a penalty-taking incident.

During Chelsea’s thumping of a poor Everton side, which saw a barrage of six goals from the Blues, the fantastic performance by Palmer was overshadowed when his teammates, Jackson and Madueke, engaged in an on-field tug-of-war with him.

The dispute occurred when refereeing official Paul Tierney granted Chelsea’s 14th penalty of the season as they were impressively ahead at 4-0.

Pochettino was incensed when Jackson and Madueke, disregarding the fact that regular taker Palmer holds a flawless record, tried to seize the opportunity for themselves.

Pochettino expressed his fury about the incident: “I told them this is the last time I accept this type of behaviour. Next time those involved in a situation like this are all out. This is not a joke.”

Despite the heated disagreement, Palmer took a more relaxed stance towards the penalty-kick controversy, noting: “Other players wanted to take it, which was understandable.

“But I am the penalty taker and wanted to take it. We’re just trying to show everyone that we want to take responsibility. Maybe it was over the top a bit, the argument. We were laughing and joking about it.”

Pochettino suggested the disagreement wouldn’t influence his team selection for Saturday’s FA Cup semifinal against Manchester City at Wembley

“We are like in a school. They are kids and they need to learn.” But he warned:, “But if they don’t learn, yes we will take some decisions.” – Express Newspapers